OBSERVER Photo by M.J. Stafford The lease situation at Dunkirk's Boardwalk is not clear to many city officials.

Just one business at the Dunkirk Boardwalk has a current lease, and city officials want to change that.

The Spike Dailey’s pub/restaurant recently renewed its lease, but none of the other businesses have an up-to-date agreement with the city. Council members have expressed concern about the situation recently and it came up again at last week’s Finance Committee meeting.

Fiscal Affairs Officer Ellen Luczkowiak said City Hall “needs to get some dollar amounts” from council. In other words, council members need to tell her how much they want the lease holders to pay.

Councilman Frank Torain said he has talked to Mayor Kate Wdowiasz about the situation. “She is waiting for numbers to move forward,” he agreed.

Deputy Department of Public Works Director Mike Przybycien warned that one of the Boardwalk’s units needs a new air conditioner, which should be taken into account when coming up with leases. He added, “They were designed to be gift shops, not restaurants.”

Dunkirk officials acknowledge that City Hall’s legal representation turnover in the last few years has contributed to the situation. The city attorney position was held by Rich Morrisroe and Michael Bobseine in 2023-24 before Elliot Raimondo took over — first on his own, then as a member of contracted law firm Raimondo and Sundquist.

As a side note, Przybycien disparaged the LED sign in front of the Boardwalk. He said former recreation director Hector Rosas purchased it with a grant, but it was obsolete even when installed. The sign no longer works correctly and probably should be scrapped, Przybycien said.